Amid Coaching Scandal, Texas Tech Wins Shootout

Texas Tech backup quarterback Steven Sheffield eked one out last night in a thrilling Alamo Bowl victory that fired head coach Mike Leach would've loved, rallying the Red Raiders to beat Michigan State, 41-31. "I looked up in the stands and I saw signs about Team Leach. Bring Leach back," Sheffield said. "Leach ain't coming back."

In front of a crowd that clearly wanted Leach back—fans booing sophomore receiver Adam James, whose allegations of abuse were the coach's downfall, drowned out the marching band—things looked grim when QB Taylor Potts exited in the fourth quarter after an Alamo Bowl-record performance. With Tech down 31-27, Sheffield marched the Red Raiders downfield in eight plays. A second 25-yard TD run put it away. "To the world outside this week was chaotic," said a running back. "But inside Tech football everyone knew (interim coach Ruffin McNeill) had this team under control." (More Alamo Bowl stories.)